Automatic suspensions

In your bylaws you should have a section that describes "automatic suspensions." An automatic suspension is an administrative action (time out) that is triggered by a member's failure to abide by previously stated requirements or rules. They require no thought or work by the medical executive committee (MEC) or medical staff leadership. Rather, they occur automatically whenever a member fails to meet his/her obligation and should not trigger the fair hearing and appeal due process.

Whenever a member fails to meet the requirements, he/she is automatically suspended (timed-out) from the medical staff until the situation is resolved to the satisfaction of the MEC and the Board. The member is not entitled to the fair hearing and appeal due process. The following are examples of what actions should trigger an automatic suspension:

Licensure - whenever a member's medical license is revoked or suspended

DEA certificate - whenever a member's DEA certificate is revoked or suspended

Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or other Federal programs - whenever a member is sanctioned or barred from these programs

Professional liability insurance - whenever a member fails to maintain insurance in the amount required by the Board and/or state regulations

Dues - if these exist, whenever a member fails to promptly pay medical staff dues

Medical records completion - whenever a member fails to satisfy the requirements delineated in the medical staff rules and regulations or policies and procedures

Consider stating that the member would be re-instated immediately upon proving that the reason for the suspension has been resolved. Ultimately, the MEC should decide if the issue has been satisfactorily resolved. The MEC may decide that a re-application for staff membership and privileges is necessary, if a lengthy time period has transpired since suspension (e.g., 6 months).